Former Elon professor of accounting Ray Knight has filed a federal lawsuit against Elon University, alleging the university retaliated against him for whistleblowing, wrongfully denied him tenure, wrongfully terminated his employment and violated both federal whistleblower protections and North Carolina public policy.
The lawsuit was filed Feb. 6 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Knight, who taught in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business starting in 2017, alleges he discovered in 2021 that a faculty colleague had improperly provided students with answers to Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) certification exams — required for participation in the federally sponsored tax-preparation program. Knight says in the lawsuit that he reported the misconduct to his department chair, dean and the university’s human resources office.
Photo of former professor of accounting Ray Knight. Photo credit | Elon University
According to the lawsuit, Knight was removed from his role as VITA program director a week after making his initial report and was later denied tenure despite receiving a favorable recommendation from his department evaluator. The suit also claims university officials failed to investigate or self-report the alleged misconduct to the IRS or the business school accreditor, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Knight, who according to the lawsuit, is a certified public accountant and attorney, did not respond to Elon News Network’s request for comment. Elon University spokesperson Eric Townsend said that Elon University does not comment on pending litigation which it is a party to.
Knight filed the lawsuit without an attorney and seeks reinstatement or front pay, back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and a favorable letter of reference.
The lawsuit also cites age-related comments by senior administrators and faculty as claims of discriminatory motive. The lawsuit quotes a third-hand account saying Knight “would be gone in two years” because he “was of that age” and later saying that Knight “would not be granted tenure.”
Knight submitted his tenure application in Fall 2022, according to the lawsuit, and was denied tenure in March 2023.
This is the second federal lawsuit in the past 10 years involving a former Elon professor within the business school. Former assistant professor of business Michael Rodriguez sued Elon in January 2017, claiming discrimination after he was not granted tenure. Elon University won the lawsuit after an appellate court agreed with the district court’s summary judgment in favor of the university.